Long before FromSoftware's glory days and the release of
Demon's Souls, this formerly unknown and relatively small video game studio was busy with the simultaneous development on two series associated with the first PlayStation -
Armored Core and
King's Field. While
Armored Core is still supported by FromSoftware (
Armored Core V was released back in 2012), the other one is not so lucky.
The last two
King's Field games,
King's Field: Additional I and
King's Field: Additional II, were released back in 2006, while the fourth major entry in From's debut series,
King's Field IV, hit stores almost 18 years ago. While FromSoftware is officially developing three new games,
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and two yet unannounced titles, it sounds like
King's Field has been put on the shelf for good.
"
The King’s Field series was heavily dependent on [Naotoshi] Jin," FromSoftware President Hidetaka Miyazaki said in an interview. "
Huge parts of the series, much more than you’d think, were shaped by his personality and input so a new King’s Field game without him wouldn’t have the same appeal."
Naotoshi Jin was President of FromSoftware from its inception until 2014 when he was replaced by Miyazaki. Although he's still helping the studio (he was recently supervising
Dark Souls: Remastered and
Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin), Miyazaki’s comment suggests that this forgotten RPG series known for its brooding atmosphere, labyrinthine dungeons, and difficulty won't return anytime soon.
In Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice you are the “one-armed wolf”, a disgraced and disfigured warrior rescued from the brink of death. Bound to protect a young lord who is the descendant of an ancient bloodline, you become the target of many vicious enemies, including the dangerous Ashina clan. When the young lord is captured, nothing will stop you on a perilous quest to regain your honor, not even death itself.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice will launch on March 22, 2019 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.